Published on 09:22 PM, January 25, 2022

Nahidul goes into record books as Comilla thrash Barishal 

Comilla Victorians spinner Nahidul Islam celebrates with teammates taking the wicket of Fortune Barishal batter Chris Gayle. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Comilla Victorians registered their second consecutive win in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) today as they beat Fortune Barishal comprehensively by 63 runs under lights at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Chasing a commendable target of 159 runs, Barishal were bundled out for just 95 in 17.3 overs, thanks to Nahidul Islam's record economical bowling figures in the history of the tournament. 

The off-spinner conceded just five runs from his four overs and picked up three wickets including a maiden. For bowlers who have completed their full four-over bowling spell, Nahidul now sits alongside Shahid Afridi for the best economy rate in the BPL. Afridi, however, had taken a wicket less for the same economy rate while playing for Sylhet Super Stars against Barishal Bulls in 2015. 

Player-of-the-match Nahidul, on his first spell, removed opener Shykat Ali and Barishal skipper Shakib Al Hasan before picking up the prized wicket of Chris Gayle in the following spell as Barishal kept losing wickets at regular intervals. 

Barishal opener Najmul Hossain Shanto was the last wicket to fall but his sloth-like 47-ball 36 never posed any threat to Comilla.

Apart from Nahidul, the likes of Shohidul Islam, Karim Janat and Tanvir Islam bagged two wickets each for Comilla as Barishal faced their second defeat in three games. 

Earlier, Mahmudul Hasan Joy top scored with 48 runs while Karim Janat smashed a quick-fire unbeaten 16-ball 29 to help Comilla post 158 for seven in 20 overs. 

After a flying start, Cameron Delport was the first wicket to fall after scoring 19 off 13 balls. 

Shakib picked up the wickets of South African Faf du Plessis (6) and Mominul Haque (17) while Dwayne Bravo bagged three wickets and ended up with figures of three for 30 in his four overs. 

Bravo, at one stage, was even on a hat-trick in the 18th over when he first removed Mahmudul and followed it up with the wicket of Nahidul. 

But after that, Afghanistan's Janat's fiery knock saw Comilla add 24 runs in the last two overs of the innings to end on a high note.